The Dallas daily herald. [volume] (Dallas, Tex.) 1873-1887, 1887-03-17
DIR. s,eMENs' THEORY.
The Dny May Come When Electricity
VIII supply Mankind with
Fuel and Food.

DR. Werner Siemens, one of the mos,
distinguished men of science now liv
ing, stirred up, few years ago, @
rather lively controversy in the scien.
tifc world by suggestion that it might
be possible, after the worlds supply OF
coal and wood had been exhausted. to
warm the chilled bodies of the unfortu.
nate men of that period by means OF
ONE application of electricity as YET
undiscovered, with which he coupled,
also, the idea that it was at least con-
ceivable that similar means might be
employed for nourishing the human
race after all vestiges of plant life had
disappeared from the earth. 1t is not
unlikely that even scientific men are
fond of good dinner now and them
md the idea of feeding on electric cur
rents seems TO have been more than
hey could endure, for DIR. Siemens was
attacked with considerable warmth as q
visionary, who amused himself with
die fancies instead of scientific reason
ng. A few months ago, however, the
venerabl philosopher took occasion to
explain his theory, which, curious as it
s, as he says, anything but the idle
fancy which it was accused of being.
Science believes" said DR., Siemens,
in the interesting address which we find
quoted in the Schweizerische Bauzei-
tuRg, "that all substances have, con-
nected with them, certain portion of
energy, which, like the elements with
which il is associated, is indestructible;
modifying often its form and relation
ships, but always traceablc and con-
slant throughout its changes. When a
substance combines chemically with an
other, il often happens that the COM
pound substance formed by the com
oination, by some quality of its consti-
luton which we knew nothing of, asso-
,iates itself with smaller relative pro-
port on of energy than that proper to
The substances of which it is composed,
and in the act of combination this sur
plus of energy, which no longer finds Il
place in the new substance. is set free,
and manifests itself as heat or light.
The burning of coal is familiar exam
pie of this. The carbon of given
quantity of coal, and the oxygen with
which that quantity of coal VIII unite.
possess more energy than the carbonic
acid formed by the union of the two
elementary substances; and in that
inion the excess of energy is disengaged
IS heat. The same thing takes place
hen wood or any other substance is
urned. Now il is remarkable that,
although we can obtain this manifesto
lion of surplus energy to warm our
hands with, by the combination of many
If the substances now existing around
is, the separation of the compounds,
10 that we can combine their elements
again when we want more heat. is a
'ery different matter. and when all the
GOAL and wood are gone we shall find
{ very hard TO get them back again out
If the carbonic acid into which we
nave resolved them. In fact, there are
only two common agencies by which
The bond between chem cal compounds
IAN be directly dissolved. One of these
$ light, the decomposing effect of which
$ as yet not understood, and the other
S electricity, which is now constantly
ised TO effect chemical decomposition
n the arts" II is certainly not unreal
'onable to suppose that we shall some
line use IL more effectively for this pur-
pose than we now 90, and, although
he decomposition of carbonc acid. or
If water, which Is perfectly practical
Die, would yield rather manageable
gases, it is, as DIR. Siemens says. quite
within the bounds of possibility that
The mechanical force derived from
wind, or falling water or waves con-
Verted into electricity by revolving
magnets or otherwise. may hereafter
Do used Tor producing. by decomposi-
lion. potassium. or magnesium, or some
other solid, portable, and tolerably ef-
,ectivc fuel.
While we could reconcile ourselves, If
necessary, to the idea of sitting around
potassium fire on winter evenings,
here would be still considerable step
20 be taken before reaching the produc-
ion of food by electricity. and here DIR.
Siemens only ventures to indicate
'ather vaguely the way which he thinks
possible that science might follow.
so far rs we know. the most essential
,lement Of food is nitrogen. which we
consume in combination with a great
Tariety of other substances. Now these
combinations OF nitrogen with other
substances are effected in nature mainly
~ the obscure processes Of vegetable
ife, nitrogen in its natural state having
10 disposition TO combine with other
,lement. even when aided by heat BY
Indirect chemical action il is possible |
o force nitrogen into combination with
oxygen. to form nitric acid, and with |
hydrogen, to form ammonia; but |
neither of these substances Is edible, |